(4 images) Larus fuscus fuscus 2cy C5UJ August 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).
C5UJ was ringed in Punkah, Finland (61.86N 29.49E), ringed as pullus previous summer 2001: July 05 2001 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 195 mm.
Considering the upper-part moult, this is another example of typical Finnish fuscus, representing average 2cy fuscus.
Recorded at Tampere: 2002-08-02, >2002-08-03, 2002-08-04, 2002-08-07, 2002-08-17, 2002-08-18.
After August 18 2002, C5UJ wasn't seen again at Tampere dump despite intense visits and may have moved further south from that date on.
Primaries P1-P9 were included in the moult on the wintering grounds last spring and the picture shows the abraded tip of P10, which is still juvenile. After arrival in Europe, a new moult wave started at P1, and by mid August, P1-P3 are fresh 3rd generation feathers, P4 is missing, P5-P9 are 2nd generation and P10 is old juvenile. All secondaries and tail-feathers are present and were replaced at the wintering grounds as well, now in August: 2nd generation.
The outer greater coverts are shed and show the second generation secondaries. Most of the wing-coverts are very worn second generation feathers. The innermost greater covert, a single median covert, quite some lower lessers and lesser coverts have been replaced for dark third generation feathers, which still show some internal patterns, unlike the commonly found plain blackish-grey 3rd generation feathers in 2cy fuscus. The upper tertials were the last moulted feathers to 3rd generation, showing a broad white fringe at the tip. All tail-feathers are worn second generation.
The scapulars are a mix of worn second generation feathers and dark third generation feathers.
2 images below: August 17 2002 (images by Hannu Koskinen). See also Visa Rauste's website.
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